If you are a Singapore government vendor, such as a provider of CCTV systems or Building Management Systems (BMS), you will likely encounter cybersecurity terms like DAST, SAST, VAPT, SSAT and SSCT frequently in project requirements. These tests are critical to ensuring the security and compliance of systems, particularly for on-premise or air-gapped deployments.
Their differences can be confusing. This blog explains each term, their purposes and how they differ, with a focus on their application in Singapore government projects.
1. DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
What is it?
DAST involves testing an application in its running state to identify vulnerabilities exploitable during operation. It simulates real-world attacks on a live application without requiring access to its source code.
Key Characteristics:
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Focus: Runtime vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, cross-site scripting – XSS).
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Scope: Tests the application externally, typically in a production-like environment.
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Methodology: Black-box testing, mimicking hacker behavior without knowledge of internal code.
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Tools: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Nessus.
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When Used: During or after development, often in staging or pre-production environments.
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Strengths: Identifies vulnerabilities visible to external attackers; no source code access needed.
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Limitations: Limited to runtime issues; cannot detect code-level flaws.
Example: Scanning a web application to detect XSS vulnerabilities by simulating user inputs.
2. SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
What is it?
SAST analyzes an application’s source code or binaries without executing the program, identifying vulnerabilities early in the development process.
Key Characteristics:
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Focus: Code-level vulnerabilities (e.g., insecure coding practices, buffer overflows).
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Scope: Examines source code, bytecode, or binaries during development.
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Methodology: White-box testing, requiring access to the codebase.
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Tools: Checkmarx, Fortify, SonarQube.
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When Used: Early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), during coding or integration.
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Strengths: Catches issues before deployment; integrates with DevOps pipelines.
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Limitations: Cannot detect runtime or environmental vulnerabilities.
Example: Scanning a Java codebase to identify improper input validation before deployment.
3. VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing)
What is it?
VAPT combines vulnerability assessment (identifying weaknesses) and penetration testing (exploiting vulnerabilities) to evaluate a system’s security comprehensively.
Key Characteristics:
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Focus: Both identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities across systems, networks, or applications.
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Scope: Broad, covering networks, servers, applications, and configurations.
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Methodology: Combines automated scans (vulnerability assessment) and manual exploitation (penetration testing).
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Tools: Burpsuite, Metasploit, Nmap, Qualys, custom scripts.
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When Used: Pre-deployment, post-deployment, or as part of compliance audits and regulatory requirement.
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Strengths: Provides a realistic view of exploitable weaknesses; aligns with compliance needs.
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Limitations: Can be time-consuming and costly; depends on tester expertise.
Example: Assessing a government network for outdated software (vulnerability assessment) and attempting to exploit it to gain unauthorized access (network penetration testing).
Penetration testing has a few different approaches, read here for more details.
4. SSAT (System Security Acceptance Test)
What is it?
SSAT is a comprehensive security evaluation mandated by Singapore government agencies, conducted before a system goes live, especially for on-premise systems, including those in air-gapped environments. It ensures the system meets predefined cybersecurity requirements.
Key Characteristics:
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Focus: Validates the system’s overall security posture and readiness for deployment.
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Scope: Holistic, testing integrated systems (hardware, software, networks) in a production-like or air-gapped environment.
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Methodology: Includes vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and secure configuration reviews, adapted for isolated systems if air-gapped.
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When Used: Usually before going into production
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Strengths: Ensures system readiness and risk reduction; tailored to government standards, including air-gapped setups.
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Limitations: Requires independent auditors to avoid conflicts; resource-intensive, especially in air-gapped environments.
Example: Testing an on-premise citizen data management system in an air-gapped environment to ensure secure authentication and encryption before deployment.
5. SSCT (System Security Compliance Test)
What is it?
SSCT verifies that a system complies with specific cybersecurity regulations mandated by Singapore government agencies, such as those set by GovTech or the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), often for on-premise systems, including those in air-gapped environments.
Key Characteristics:
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Focus: Compliance with regulatory and contractual cybersecurity requirements.
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Scope: Focuses on documentation, secure configurations, and audits; may include VAPT, tailored for air-gapped systems if required.
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Methodology: Combines documentation reviews, compliance checks, and targeted testing, ensuring alignment with standards like those from DSTA.
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When Used: Usually Pre-deployment to ensure audit readiness and network integration.
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Strengths: Ensures regulatory compliance; facilitates government network connectivity, even in air-gapped setups.
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Limitations: Requires independent auditors to avoid conflicts; resource-intensive, especially in air-gapped environments.
Example: Verifying that a government CCTV system, managed by DSTA in an air-gapped environment, has proper patch management and incident response plans to meet government standards.
Key Differences at a Glance
|
Test |
Focus |
Scope |
Methodology |
When Used |
Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DAST |
Runtime vulnerabilities |
Live applications |
Black-box testing |
Pre-production |
Web app security |
|
SAST |
Code-level vulnerabilities |
Source code |
White-box testing |
Development |
Secure coding |
|
VAPT |
Vulnerabilities & exploitation |
Systems/networks/apps |
Mixed (automated + manual) |
Pre/post-deployment |
Comprehensive security |
|
SSAT |
System security readiness |
Integrated systems, including air-gapped |
Holistic testing |
Pre-deployment |
Government project sign-off |
|
SSCT |
Regulatory compliance |
Compliance & documentation, including air-gapped |
Audits + testing |
Pre/post-deployment |
Government compliance (e.g., DSTA) |
Contextual Notes for Singapore Government Projects
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SSAT and SSCT: These are specific to Singapore government projects, mandated by agencies like GovTech or DSTA, particularly for on-premise systems, including air-gapped environments where systems are isolated from external networks for enhanced security. SSAT ensures a system is secure before going live, while SSCT focuses on compliance with standards, ensuring audit readiness.
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DAST and SAST: These are widely used globally for application security. They are often integrated into DevSecOps pipelines for commercial and government projects.
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VAPT: Commonly required in Singapore for both government and private sectors to meet compliance frameworks like the Cybersecurity Agency of Singapore (CSA) guidelines or MAS TRM.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between DAST, SAST, VAPT, SSAT, and SSCT is crucial for cybersecurity professionals working on Singapore government projects, where tests like SSAT and SSCT are mandated, especially for on-premise or air-gapped systems. Each test serves a unique purpose, from securing code to ensuring compliance with stringent standards like those from DSTA. By leveraging these tests as required, organizations can build secure, compliant, and resilient systems.
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At Perennial Consultancy, we’ve helped vendors navigate cybersecurity audits across BMS, CCTV, AV, networking and smart infrastructure systems. We speak the language of both engineers and auditors, and we know how to balance security, feasibility, and project delivery.
Visit our site or Talk to us today before audit findings turn into project blockers
